Champion fullback Israel Folau last night became the first Wallaby to win back-to-back John Eales Medals.
At a packed gala dinner in Sydney, Folau joined George Smith (2002 and 2008) and Nathan Sharpe (2007 and 2012) as the only two-time winners in the 14-year history of Australian rugby’s top award.
Folau won with 138 votes, ahead of David Pocock (second with 113), Michael Hooper (third, 108), Adam Ashley-Cooper (fourth, 98), and Ben McCalman (fifth, 95).
Folau, Hooper, and Ashley-Cooper played in all eight Tests the voting period covered, while Pocock played in only four. With votes coming from the Wallabies matchday squad, Pocock’s second place sends a resounding message to coach Michael Cheika: the Brumbies’ vice-captain must be in every starting line-up.
Selecting openside flanker Pocock at No.8 was the reason the Wallabies beat the All Blacks 27-19 for the first time in 10 meetings. That win saw the Wallabies capture the Rugby Championship undefeated over the Boks, Pumas, and All Blacks.
But demoting Pocock to the bench just one week later for the Bledisloe decider at Eden Park played no small part in the 41-13 hammering handed out by the All Blacks.
Barring injury, there’s now no argument the starting Wallaby backrow in Pool A against Fiji, England, and Wales at the Rugby World Cup must be Scott Fardy (6), Hooper (7), and Pocock (8).
Other awards won last night:
Wallaby rookie of the year – Sean McMahon
Wallaby try of the year – Nick Phipps versus Ireland at Dublin
Fans’ choice as Wallaby player of the year – Michael Hooper
Super Rugby player of the year – David Pocock
Super Rugby team of the year – Waratahs
Super Rugby coach of the year – Michael Cheika
Super Rugby rookie of the year – Rory Arnold
Super Rugby referee of the year – Angus Gardner
Australian Under-20 player of the year – Michael Gunn
Australian sevens player of the year – Ed Jenkins
Women’s player of the year – Adriana Kaiwai
Women’s sevens player of the year – Shami Williams
Hall of Fame inductees – Jock Blackwood (pre-War), Cyril Burke (post-War), and Tim Horan.
Nick Farr-Jones’ Spirit of Rugby Award – Jeffrey Leonard Sayle OAM – better known as ‘Mr Rugby’, and a thoroughly deserved recognition.
marto
Guest
Pocock has to number 8...Everyone can see this...He is by far our best number 8 option...
Mike
Guest
I disagree Peter. I think Hooper is a very good 7, and I think Pocock is a very good 8. Furthermore, what they both bring to the team is not hindered by them playing in those positions. No need to even consider anyone else (for starting in those positions).
Phantom
Roar Rookie
No evidence of significance of ball carrying ability demonstrated by Skelton in either test match against NZ
Phantom
Roar Rookie
No evidence in either test match .
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Hardly
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Hardly.
soapit
Guest
even better?
Pete
Guest
Wobblies have been mostly "off" for the last decade then
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Pocock is not even close to the worlds best player.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
McCaw is still clearly the starting number 7 in NZ. His influence on games is immense. For SA they have 2 or 3 players the equal of Pocock. Similar styles as well so irrespective of the semantics of numerology Pocock would not start there either. He should start at 7 for Australia buy doesn't so maybe Australia's own coach doesn't rate his as the best in Australia. On these criteria alone then surely he hardly rates as the best in the SH let alone the best in the world.
Highlander
Guest
Soapit- he has lost 7
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks David. Nice one. Excellent recognition. Hope we see more players in Gold. Rory, Arnold, Stirzy, JackDeb, maybe Dane HP. SAMU KEREVI!!!!
RobC
Roar Guru
I think it was a whatsapp of Cheika eating a meatpie during lineout and scrum practice. But the phone was untraceable
soapit
Guest
Mike
Guest
Fair point
PeterK
Roar Guru
Mike - I agree Hooper is significantly better as a rugby player than Higgs. He is a better player than most in the team. However that is not the argument or the crux of the matter. Pocock is a better 7 than Hooper. So to play Hooper what do you give up? Either not play Pocock the better player or play both. If you play both then the balance of the pack is effected. The lineout and scrum (to a lesser extent) suffers. So that has to be weighed against the greater workrate and combination Pooper provide at the breakdown.
Mike
Guest
A lot of factors in there. Two of the tries were scored when we were a man down. Sometimes that wouldn't matter, but when we had only been just holding out the ABs at the end of the first half as it was, going a man down was fatal.
Mike
Guest
Suit yourself. I think Pocock is an excellent 8, and I don't think Higginbotham comes close to the value of Hooper as a test player.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Agree but not because he is not the world's best openside. At SB's he would start at 6 since for the SB's the openside wears the no 6 and the blindside the no 7. For the AB's they would keep McCaw for his captaincy , he is not even the best 7 in NZ anymore but as a total package for the AB's deserves his spot.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
He wouldn't start at 7 for the ABs or the SBs